t's hard to imagine an A&R person saying, "Gee, I really love this music, but this demo was only done on a four-track, I think I'll pass." They're looking for hit songs and unique artists, not great engineers! One of the most successful songs to come through TAXI was recorded on an 8-track in a bedroom.

But it's not just about how good your demos are. There's much more to the story. Read on to find out!

The Best Way To Get Signed
If you're trying to land a record deal, nothing works better than hitting the road, playing hundreds of gigs, and selling thousands of CDs from the trunk of your car.

If you're a songwriter, moving to Los Angeles, New York, or Nashville and "paying your dues" is often the best way to go.

But, can you just walk away from your life, your job, your family, and your mortgage payment? Okay, that might be tempting, but let's get real! You need a vehicle to help you get your music to the right people.

TAXI will help you do that no matter where you live.

What Is TAXI?
We're the world's leading Independent Artist & Repertoire Company. As a matter of fact, we invented independent A&R more than a decade ago. Since 1992, TAXI has specialized in giving artists, bands, and songwriters real access to the people in the music business who have the power to sign deals.

The Music Industry Comes To Us To Find You
Record companies, publishers, and music supervisors call us directly to find new artists and bands to sign. They also call to find hit songs, instrumentals and tracks for TV and film placements.

We get the request, then give you the exact details about what type of music they're shopping for. The company requesting the material remains anonymous (for the time being) to protect them from being bombarded with truckloads of unsolicited material.

We're the Matchmaker for Your Music
When you see a specific request that looks like it's a good match for your music, just submit your material to TAXI in response. We call these requests "Industry Listings."

What Happens Next?
A specialist from our team of 200 highly trained industry veterans will carefully listen to each and every song you send us. And yes, you can rest assured that we match Pop experts with Pop listings, and Country experts with Country listings, and so on. We guarantee that the people who listen to every one of your submissions will be experts in the type of music you send us.

When Your Music Makes The Grade
When your music is on target for what the listing company has asked for, and is just plain great, we send it directly to the person who requested it. Then we let you know which company your music was sent to. If they love what they hear, they'll call you to play "Let's Make a Deal." That's what makes TAXI such a powerful tool for you  you'll always be responding to somebody who is on the prowl for your type of music.

Let Success Find You
It makes a lot of sense, doesn't it? We simply put the shoe on the other foot. Why pound pavement, knocking on door after door trying to find somebody who needs your music? TAXI turns the tables, and brings them to you.

Tips From The Top Guns
But your music needs to be up to the task. And if it's not quite ready yet, TAXI will help you get it ready. This is the really cool part. Not only do you get to take advantage of TAXI's relationships with many of the biggest fish in the music business, you'll also get helpful, written feedback on your music from our A&R staff.

It's like having your own personal team of industry pros to lend an objective ear. If you've been searching for something that will give you that extra "edge," you've just found it.

You'll Have Friends In High Places
Our A&R team is made up of industry veterans who have been directly responsible for picking, signing, and creating hundreds of hits. They are highly respected A&R people, music publishers, music supervisors, hit songwriters, and record producers with more than 2,500 years of combined music industry experience. And when you become part of TAXI, these experts are working for you.

If you're wondering why these big shots work for us, the answer is simple  we pay them really, really well. And when you get right down to it, they love to find those needle-in-the-haystack hits.

You'll Get the World's Largest A&R Network
Some of the best deals to come through TAXI have happened because of the enormous music industry network that orbits around our A&R staff. Do the math  200 people on our A&R staff, times an average of 17 years in the music business each... you get the idea. They've made more connections than Kevin Bacon! So you'll also get to benefit from their contacts as well.

You'll Get More than 1,200 Chances to Pitch Your Music
Your TAXI membership will last for a Full Year, so you'll get hundreds of opportunities that you didn't have before. You'll get a freshly updated edition of our Industry Listings every two weeks, adding up to more than 1,200 unique opportunities a year for just about every type of music you can imagine.

More Free Goodies
There are many more free goodies that we give you with your TAXI membership. Keep reading!

Go Face-to-Face With The Big Kahunas At Our FREE Convention
TAXI founder, Michael Laskow, has spoken at most of the "top" music industry conventions. He saw many that were poorly organized, uninformative, and gave musicians practically no chance to meet the industry people. The bottom line  most other conventions just weren't worth the cost of admission.

Michael's solution? The Road Rally  TAXI's annual, three day convention that solves all those problems. While other conventions cost as much as $600 per person, your ticket to the Road Rally is FREE. And you get to bring a guest for free as well. That's a $1,200 value that you get FREE with your TAXI membership!

The panelists you'll meet at our private, members-only convention are all high-level music industry movers and shakers who will give you truthful answers to your questions, and speak from their hearts. You'll also find them to be much more accessible than panelists at other conventions.

If you want to network or collaborate with other musicians and songwriters, our convention will feel like heaven on Earth. The Road Rally is such a power-packed weekend, you literally won't want it to end.

They've Made Millions!
Deals have been struck at the Road Rally that have cumulatively made our members millions of dollars. You can bet those lucky members were really glad they didn't miss the Rally!

Expose Yourself
What's better than having your song heard by one A&R person? Playing it for six of them at the same time! When you come to the Road Rally, you could have your music picked to be played during the A&R or Music Publishing panels.

If you like to play live, you just might get your chance at the Road Rally. Randomly picked members get to perform live in front of 2,000 fellow members and industry executives. Now that's exposure.

You Finally Have Friends In the Music Business
Some people in the music business seem to go out of their way to avoid you. We do just the opposite. We hire the nicest, most professional people you'll ever deal with on the phone or in person. We want each and every TAXI member to know that they've really got friends in the music business. Give us a call and find out for yourself.

The Best Music Biz Newsletter is FREE
As a member, you'll also get our monthly newsletter, the TAXI Meter, which includes exclusive interviews with top music business executives and industry insiders. It comes tucked neatly inside your FREE copy of Recording magazine every month  that's our gift to you. If you get TAXI online, you'll still get your FREE copy of Recording, and your newsletter will be sent online. Recording magazine is loaded with the latest recording techniques to help you make better demos, and great equipment reviews.

Our Money-Back Guarantee
We're so confident that you'll love belonging to TAXI, that we shoulder all the risk. If you think that our Industry Listings aren't the best you've ever seen, we'll refund your membership fee in full. If you don't think our written feedback helps you improve your music, ditto. And the same goes for our unmatched customer service. If you call with a question or problem, and you're not greeted by one of the friendliest, most helpful people you've ever met at any business, we'll refund your membership fee.

And that's not a 30-day guarantee. It's not a 60- or a 90-day guarantee. It's a Full, One-Year Guarantee! You read that correctly. We give you a Full Year to make sure you're happy with our listings, feedback, and customer service. And if you're not, just tell us in writing why you're not, and we'll refund your membership fee.

For obvious reasons, we can't guarantee you'll get a deal through TAXI, or that your music will be forwarded. That depends on the quality of the music you submit. And we regret that we can't give refunds because of late rent, girlfriends being ticked-off that you charged your membership to their credit card, or you just plain ran out of cash. Don't laugh  people have tried!

Got Questions?Q: Does TAXI take a percentage?
A: No. We don't take a percentage or a commission. TAXI does not participate in your deal. Your name and phone number are on the material we forward to the people in the industry, so they will contact you directly when they're interested. The deal you make will be between you and them. We'll be happy to refer you to some excellent music attorneys if you need one.

Q: TAXI almost sounds too good to be true. How do I know it's legitimate?
A: The fact that we've worked with 600 top labels and publishers for more than a decade usually lets people know that we're the real deal. Some people like to read all the great quotes from A&R people and members in this brochure. We also suggest calling the Better Business Bureau at 909-835-6064, or going to www.BBB.com, and clicking on "check out a company". The more you check us out, the better we'll look!

Q: Why do these companies tell TAXI what they're looking for?
A: Since 1992, TAXI has earned the respect of the music industry by maintaining an extremely high level of quality in the music we send them. Simply put  they trust our ears.

Q: Does TAXI work with companies other than record labels?
A: Yes. We also work with top Music Publishers, Independent Labels, Producers, Managers, Film and TV Music Supervisors, and Instrumental Music Libraries on a very regular basis. TAXI has been phenomenally successful placing music in films and TV shows.

Q: Does TAXI get listings for artists, bands, songwriters, and composers?
A: Yes. We work hard to make sure the listings are well-balanced. Something for everybody, whether you're an artist, band, songwriter, or instrumental composer.

Q: What styles of music are most frequently requested?
A: People come to us looking for all types of music. If you can find it on a chart, in a movie or TV show, chances are somebody is looking for that genre. Check out the current Industry Listings and you can see just how diverse the opportunities are when you belong to TAXI. And remember, you'll get a fresh update every two weeks.

Q: Who are your A&R people?
A: TAXI's A&R team is made up of more than 200 heavyweight music industry veterans who are highly skilled in the art of picking hits. They've been Vice Presidents and Directors of A&R at major labels, music publishers, Grammy-winning songwriters and producers, Hollywood music supervisors, and program directors from top radio stations. They have worked at companies like A&M, Arista, ASCAP, BMI, Capitol, Columbia, EMI Music Publishing, Famous Music, MCA, RCA, Warner Bros., Windham Hill, Word, Virgin, and many, many more. We guarantee your music will always be thoroughly listened to by one of our pros  no second stringers. All music is screened under our direct supervision at TAXI's Los Angeles headquarters.

But having a great resume isn't enough to work on TAXI's award winning A&R team. Our people are hand-picked not only for their "ears," but for their attitude as well. We train each and every person on our A&R staff to do what no other A&R people in the industry will do for you  give friendly, objective feedback, and powerful suggestions that can dramatically help you.

Q: Can't I just buy a directory or "tip sheet" and send my music to record companies myself?
A: All the directories in the world won't help you if you don't have personal connections  most labels don't accept unsolicited material. TAXI has spent more than a decade building a colossal network of personal relationships with key music industry executives. You can rest assured your music won't fall on deaf ears.

Q: How good do my demos have to be?
A: It's hard to imagine an A&R person saying, "Gee, I really love this music, but this demo was only done on a four-track, I think I'll pass." They're looking for hit songs and unique artists, not great engineers! One of the most successful songs to come through TAXI was recorded on an 8-track in a bedroom.

Q: Do I just get one chance to send my music?
A: No! You'll get more than 1,200 opportunities a year in just about every conceivable genre of music. We'll send you an updated edition of our Industry Listings every two weeks by email or "snail" mail.

You can submit to as many listings as you would like, and, you can submit the same material for different listings.

Q: Will TAXI critique every song I submit?
A: The majority of our listings do provide critiques. You will also notice that a small percentage of the listings are quick turnaround situations, which don't afford us the time to provide critiques. We figure that you would still like to have those opportunities, so we run them as non-critique listings. Take a look at the current Industry Listings for details.

Q: Does TAXI have a submission fee?
A: Yes. $5 per song. If we had no submission fee, some members would take pot shots at every listing. Eventually, that would overload the entire system.

Q: If I send in my whole CD with 12 songs on it, do I have to pay a $60 submission fee?
A: No. Submission fees will range from $5 to $15, according to how many songs the listing asks you to send us. Typically, they'll ask for 1 to 3 songs. Just mark off the songs you want us to hear, and we'll listen to each of them.

Q: If my music is forwarded, what are the chances that it will be listened to by the A&R person who asked for it?
A: If you were in their shoes, would you rather listen to a huge pile of unsolicited material, or a small group that was hand-picked and highly focused? Remember, they called us to request the material in the first place!

Q: What happens to my CD or tape if it's not forwarded?
A: If you would like it returned to you, simply enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and we'll promptly send it back to you.

Q: Isn't there too much competition for me to expect that my music will be forwarded?
A: No. TAXI does not work on a quota system. It simply doesn't matter how many submissions we get for a particular listing. The best and most appropriate always get forwarded, no matter how many there are. You never have to "compete" with your fellow members.

You might be surprised to know that we only get between 10 and 250 submissions for most listings. And remember, you will never be competing against the other submissions.

Q: Can I get my listings by email?
A: Absolutely, that's the best way to get them. Just give us your email address, and we'll do the rest. You'll receive your listings on the 1st and 15th of the month  days sooner than by snail mail.

Q: Can I submit my music online to TAXI?
A: Yes, and it's much easier, faster and cheaper! Just go to www.taxi.com, and click on the "Submit Music" button to find out how to do it! Your written critiques will also come to you online.

Q: Does TAXI have members in places other than the U.S.?
A: Yes. We have members all over the world  in over 55 countries at last count! And because we offer online submissions and critiques, it's easy and inexpensive to submit your music to TAXI no matter what country you live in.

Q: What if I'm not online?
A: No problem. TAXI's listings are also available by first class mail. They will be mailed to you on the 1st and 15th of every month.

Q: How much time do I have to respond to the listings?
A: Each listing has a deadline, usually 30, 60, even 90 days from the time it's first posted. We listen to all submissions after the deadline has passed. You'll always have plenty of time.

Q: How can TAXI handle all those submissions?
A: Pretty easily. Listening to your music is all we do, and we're extremely well-organized. We have a pool of more than 200 different A&R people. As our membership grows, so does our A&R team. Don't forget, TAXI is in L.A. We have a bottomless supply of highly qualified music industry veterans to choose from.

Q: How many members does TAXI currently have?
A: That number changes every day, so any number we quote today will be different tomorrow. To stay current, we would have to print new brochures every week. Call us at 1-800-458-2111, and we'll be happy to tell you what the current membership figure is. We know that if we get so large that we can't deliver a quality service, our members won't continue to use us.

Q: What percentage of your members get forwarded?
A: We take annual head counts and have found that typically, four out of ten members get something forwarded in any given year. The music that's great, and right on target for a particular opportunity, gets sent to the listing company.

Q: What's TAXI's "Success Ratio"?
A: Our success ratio for members who score deals usually runs about 6% per year. The number is probably a little higher, but not all members who get deals remember to call and let us know. Yep, we're pretty amazed by that too! Oh well... chalk it up to human nature.

Q: What kinds of deals TAXI members have signed?
A: Our members have signed just about every kind of deal imaginable. Record deals with major and independent labels, single song deals, multi-song deals, staff writer deals, video game deals, and deals for film and TV placements. As a matter of fact, our members have had their music on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, MTV, HBO, CNN, PBS, ESPN, Showtime, Nickelodeon, Discovery, and just about any other network you can think of. And they got it there by TAXI!

Q: Can I sign up as a publishing, management, or production company, and send in material for several people under my membership?
A: Thanks to a few unscrupulous people who were re-selling access to TAXI for a profit, we had to go to single memberships only.

TAXI memberships are individual and writer-based. That means that if you write your own songs, or you are the primary writer in your band, you can join TAXI. The rule of thumb is you can send in any music you've written or co-written, but can't submit for friends.

You can sign up in the artist's name, in care of yourself (if you're a manager or publisher), and administer the membership for them. Please call us for details.

Q: Can I join as a studio and submit demos from my clients?
A: We have a special Studio Referral Program. Please give us a call at 1-800-458-2111, and we'll be happy to tell you about it.

Q: How much does TAXI cost?
A: A Full One-Year membership is just $299.95.

Just to give you a little perspective, a top music attorney will cost you more than $300 for just one hour! A single plane flight to L.A., N.Y., or Nashville can cost you more than TAXI's entire subscription fee.

When you add up the expense of hotel rooms, rental cars, and meals, TAXI pays for itself many times over. Compared to what you've spent to make your music, TAXI is surprisingly affordable.

Q: How long will my membership last?
A: One year from the time you join, unless of course, you join for two or three years.

Q: How much is it to renew my membership?
A: When you renew your membership we'll save you $100. Your renewal fee will be just $199.95.

Q: Should I wait until my material is totally "finished" before I join TAXI?
A: Because you'll always be creating new music, you'll never really be "finished". Many of our members use TAXI as a sounding board along the way.

Frankly, Taxi Isn't For Everybody
TAXI isn't for everybody. We created this company to give insider information and access to the people who are most serious about having a career in the music business. If you want to keep music as just a hobby, then TAXI may be more than you need.

Success Is Earned, Not Handed Out
The music business is very competitive, but if you don't run the race, you have no chance to win. It's up to you to decide if you want to compete or watch from the sidelines.

Where Do You Stand?

Is it difficult for you to go on the road or move to one of the music capitals?

Do you need contacts in the music business?

Can you use a team of objective experts who will give you honest feedback?

Would you like to stay focused and be more proactive with your music?

Is it time for you to become part of TAXI?

If the answer is yes, just click here to become a member of TAXI, or call us toll-free at 1-800-458-2111 to get started right away.

What You'll Get When You Join TAXI

More than 1,200 opportunities per year to pitch your music to Major and Indie Record Labels, Top Music Publishers, and Music Supervisors working on film and TV projects. That's TEN TIMES the number of opportunities you'll get with TAXI imitators! And don't forget, we have opportunities in nearly every conceivable genre of music.

Detailed, written feedback from our A&R staff. It's like having A&R people, pro songwriters, music supervisors, and top record producers as your own personal team of coaches.

A friendly, professional staff you can call any time for advice on pitches, questions about opportunities, or just about any other question you might have. Imagine that -- a company staffed by helpful experts who answer their phones, and actually enjoy talking to you!

FREE passes for you and a guest to our private, members-only convention. This convention alone is worth much more than you'll invest to become a member. Tickets to other music conventions cost as much as $595 EACH! You'll get TWO for FREE when you join TAXI! Our convention is networking at its best.

Our monthly newsletter, The TAXI Meter, brings you insider interviews with the music industry's top A&R people. You'll also get tons of ideas to help you build a career in the music business.

As our gift to you, a year-long subscription to Recording Magazine. Recording will keep you abreast of all the latest home recording techniques and gear. You'll find great tips to help you improve your demos.

And finally, you'll get something you probably don't have right now. The opportunity to get your music heard by people who are looking for what you've got. How much is that worth to you? If you could buy a piece of outboard gear that connected you with the people who have the power to sign deals, wouldn't you? That's what TAXI is, the most important link in your chain.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career, click here to become a member of TAXI, or call us toll-free at 1-800-458-2111 to get started right away.

Need Some Reassurance?

"TAXI is a great concept  it gives credible songwriters everywhere a way to get their songs heard."
Shane Barrett  Director of A&R, MCA Records, Nashville

"Dude, I cannot believe the amount of TAXI wannabes there are now. You should be proud that everyone is trying to copy you. Most of us members know TAXI is the real deal. You guys are, and always will be #1."
Mike Farley  TAXI Member

"I've already signed one TAXI act, and I'm looking at others that have been submitted."
Tony Ferguson -- VP of A&R, Interscope Records, LA

"Thanks so much for sending my song "Sheree" to Dawson's Creek. It's been selected for the show!"
Fran Lucci  TAXI Member

"TAXI is very legit and backed by all the major labels."
Brian Evans  comment found on newsgroup

"I've signed a lot of deals with TAXI members. And a good percentage of those writers have had their music placed in TV shows and films as a direct result."
Jim Long  CEO, One Music

"I received 5 critiques for one song and each one was right on the money. The critiques and this membership are priceless!"
Tammy Endlish  TAXI Member

"I've had several meetings at Dreamworks Records and made several new contacts as a result of belonging to TAXI."
John Scott  TAXI Member

"I received a giant BMI check from TV airplay that I probably wouldn't have earned without TAXI."
Julie Ann Bailey  TAXI Member

"As writer/artists from another country, we see TAXI as the single best opportunity we have for direct exposure to the US music industry."
Peter Martin  TAXI Member

"I hope someday I'm in a position to promote TAXI and let everyone know that there are kind, honest people in the music business and they're working at TAXI. Even my mother trusts you! :-)"
James Day  TAXI Member

Ready to use the world's leading A&R company to get your music to the right people? Click here to fill out the membership form, or call us toll-free at 1-800-458-2111 to get started right away.